This year at St. Vincent's GNS, we have all been working extremely hard at becoming budding scientists! Earlier in the year, we set ourselves the aim of securing our school a Plaque of STEM Excellence in the SFI Discover Science & Maths Awards 2016. In order to do this, we all had to get our lab coats on and complete as many science experiments as possible throughout the year. ​All of the hard work paid off and in May we received notice that we had achieved a Science Foundation Ireland Discover Science and Maths Plaque of STEM Excellence for the 2015/16 academic year.

All classes from junior infants right up to sixth class participated and carried out a variety of science experiments. Each and every individual thoroughly enjoyed the hands on experiences and further developing their scientific skills. There are 5 steps involved in working towards successfully obtaining an award for your school. Below is a showcase and a summary of just some of the fantastic work done by the students and staff of St. Vincent's GNS. We hope you enjoy!

Step 1: Science

We had so much fun engaging in a number of hands-on science investigations in school. We also had a number of number of science workshops with a guest speaker.

Junior Infants, Room 3 had a fantastic time exploring magnets for the first time. We used a variety of magnets of all different sizes and shapes. We enjoyed testing out a variety of materials and seeing whether or not they were magnetic. Sample of work below: Nadia, Room 3

Junior Infants, Room 4 had a great time getting their hands wet exploring waterproof materials. They enjoyed discovering what materials were and were not waterproof. They learned so much vocabulary surrounding the topic and now know what to put over them if it's raining outside!Sample of work below: Macy, Room 4

The girls from Second Class, Room 15 got artistic and constructed mini-mobiles to test out why it is important for us to wear seat belts in the car. They recycled materials from home to create the mini-mobiles. Sample of work below: Sofia, Room 15

The girls from Senior Infants, Room 7 and First Class, Room 10 got their hands wet during an experiment on sinking and floating. The girls worked in groups and put their prediction skills to the test before they got active and tested out and recorded what materials floated and what materials sank.Sample of work below: Ella, Room 10

The girls from First Class, Room 9 became young gardeners as they got down to work planting seeds and watching them grow. The girls got their own individual pots and planted the seeds ensuring to water them and give them plenty of sunlight. They compared these then to some test pots which were deprived of both water and sunlight.Sample of work below: Niamh, Room 10

Fake Lung Experiment Strand: Living Things Strand Unit: Human Life

The girls of Fourth Class, Room 17 became doctors in their experiment to create a fake lung. The purpose of the assignment was to see how our lungs work to help us breathe. Again, the girls recycled materials to create their fake lungs. The result was super! Sample of work below: Lea, Room 17

The girls from Sixth Class, Room 18 enhanced their environmental awareness and science skills through an experiment on making lava lamps. They discusses the global issue of oil pollution and thereafter investigated how this can negatively affect the world. They then carried out an experiment in which they mixed water oil and food coulouring together and added a half a fizzy tablet to create a chemical reaction. This reaction in the bottle causes it to look like a lava lamp. Groovy work! Well done Girls! Sample of work below: McKenzie, Room 18

Ivan McCaffrey: Our Guest Speaker​

Ivan McCaffrey is a scientist from Trinity College Dublin. Ivan has been coming to our school every Tuesday since November to inform us about a variety of scientific topics. In addition to this, Ivan carried out a number of enjoyable, hands on experiments with the girls from sixth class. Everyone agrees that we have learned, and continue to learn so much from Ivan. We really appreciate him coming to our school and with thanks to him, our science skills have most definitely been enhanced. Read an account of the guest speaker experience below from Coady in Sixth Class, Room 21.

Step 2: Technology

We applied our technology skills and used ICT as part of our research and experimental work.

The Girls from Fifth Class in Room 19, put their ICT skills to use as part of research for their experiment. They investigated different ways in which they could construct a boat using the Samsung Tablets. They came up with some fantastic methods and worked together on choosing the best one.

The Girls from Sixth Class, Room 18 demonstrated their excellent ICT skills as they put together a super Power Point Presentation to accompany the presentation of their lava lamps experiment. With effective transitions, pictures and slides, it is most definitely a Power Point to be proud of. Click on the file below to have a look yourself!

Step 3: Engineering

﻿We really enjoyed investigating engineering in class.

Engineering Rockets! Strand: Energy & Forces Strand Unit: Forces

The girls from Room 16 put their engineering skills to use as they created their very own rockets. Using just, paper, sellotape and straws, the girls each created a rocket. Using the force of air then, the girls were able to launch their rockets into the air. They didn't quite reach space, but they were close!

The girls from Fourth Class, Room 17 investigated engineering in the local area. They learned all about wind energy and wind turbines. The girls learned all about the components of a wind turbine and how it is a sustainable and renewable source of energy which favours environmental care. The girls then investigated Father Collins' Park in Donaghmede, Co. Dublin which is a sustainable park featuring five Wind Turbines. The girls got the chance then with their class teacher to assemble a wind turbine and see for themselves how it works. Clink on the PowerPoint link below to see what they investigated. Sample of work below from Lea, Room 17

Step 4: Maths

The girls from Fourth Class, Room 17 successfully integrated their maths skills into one of their many science experiments. the girls put their engineering skills to use and created paper airplanes. It was then time for the test flights! They brought them out to the canal yard and threw them. They estimated the distance, measured it and calculated the difference. Excellent work from the girls. Sample of work below from Emily, Room 17

The girls from Fifth Class, Room 19 managed to integrate three different maths skills into their science work. They carried out an experiment to see how the surface material of a slope affected the distance the ball travelling down it would go. They estimated, measured and recorded the information. They then created fantastic bar charts to represent the data. Well done girls on the super work! Sample of work below from Kate, Room 19Sample of experiment below from Amber, room 19

The Girls from Junior Infants, Room 3 put their maths skills to use in their experiment with magnets. They sorted the objects they tested into two different groups; materials that are magnetic and materials that are not magnetic. Well done girls!

Before

After

Step 5: STEM Showcase

​​We enjoyed piecing together our website showcase and invited all members of the school community to visit the page. In addition to this we really enjoyed showcasing some of our experiments at our school assembly to the parents and other students in the school. The Girls also presented their experiment to some of the Junior Classes in the school as well.